BY DENNETTS
The British have had an extraordinary History with the sea for hundreds of years, with the first use of ships dating back to the 12th century and from the mid 18th century, the Royal Navy was the world’s most powerful navy an unmatched power. There was a seminar held in 1991 to discuss the problems facing the preservation of ships that contributed to the historical importance of our nations maritime history. From this, the National Historic Ships Register formed, a body looking not only at the immediate issues concerning historic vessels in the UK, addressing questions relating to the support infrastructure for historic ships, their potential for contributing in the wider economic, social and community context, and by maintaining a watch list of vessels abroad with potential UK significance. Currently, there are 1600 vessel recorded on the register each vessel has a strict criteria to join, registering ships need to be 50 years since its build begun or the keel was laid, built in the UK or the exception of abroad for the UK and to have been a part of a significant event or persons associated with the UK’s maritime heritage.
Each year the NHSR appoint a new Flagship of the year, designed to provide an opportunity to demonstrate and celebrate the value of historic vessels to the wider public. The winner of this year›s accolade is a vessel that has recently been restored in Chertsey at Dennetts, a yard that specialised in the restoration of traditional craft and arguably the world leaders in the restoration of Dunkirk Little Ships.
Breda was built in 1931 by the renowned J W Brook yard in Lowestoft, like most of the celebrated shipyards of the era they shut the doors by the end of the last century. Breda (Dab II when built) is 52ft and has a distinguished war record, gone was her striking varnished mahogany and white exterior as she was painted battleship grey and served as a patrol ship for the duration of the war. Prior to this she took part in Operation Dynamo rescuing troops from North West France in May 1940 and as such is one of the acclaimed Dunkirk Little Ships.
On her last journey she brought back a load of Dutch soldiers, who came from Breda in Holland and had fought a gallant rearguard action westward to Dunkirk helping to ensure the safe rescue of troops from the beach home. On her return to England owner, Col Hardy, thought her name now was unsuitable for a ship of her size and distinguished war record. But he thought it might be unlucky to change a ship’s name altogether. So, he called her Breda, which ingeniously retained all the letters in her original name and commemorated the Dutch soldiers she had rescued.
In 2017 Breda was found on the Thames in a dire condition. Stephen Dennett from Dennetts in Chertsey, was asked if he knew someone who might want to take on a project of this enormity and it just so happened that an existing client had recently expressed an interest in owning a Dunkirk Little Ship.
After works began it became rapidly clear, much more of the ship was rotten than had previously been thought. The restoration took three years and enlisting the help of the in house interior designer Breda is now arguably one of the most opulent boats on the Thames, a sensational design masterpiece bringing together the charm and elegance of the 1930s. It is clear why Breda was chosen for the honour to represent historic vessels and fly the National Historic Ships flag for the UK. This is not the first prestigious accolade Dennetts have won this year they also won the Best Restoration of the Year awarded to them by Classic Boat for their work on a World War II high-speed Launch and Dunkirk Little ship Makaira back in March.